Vending Machine Nutritional Information

What is the Traffic Light+?

According to a recent article “Fact Up Front Versus Traffic Light Food Labels: A Randomized Controlled Trial” featured in the 2012 issue of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, the Traffic Light+ method of food labeling “best assisted individuals in judging the nutritional profiles of foods and beverages”. The Traffic Light + labeling method includes a “calories-per-serving label and a modified Traffic Light symbol with text (High/Med/Low) indicating amounts of saturated fats, sugars, sodium, fiber and protein per serving”. Based on this study, the Traffic Light+ model is considered the most user-friendly, which is proven by test results which showed that those utilizing this system had the highest ability of label interpretation and understanding. The traffic light symbol was based on the UK’s Traffic Light which appears on food products, and the “plus” aspect looks at specific nutrients to encourage.